MicroRNA-522 (miR-522)

MicroRNA-522 (miR-522) is a small non-coding RNA belonging to the human microRNA family, encoded by the MIR522 gene. miR-522 is involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by binding to complementary sequences in the 3′-untranslated regions of target messenger RNAs, resulting in translational inhibition or degradation of the mRNA. It is notably upregulated in several cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer, where it promotes cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and resistance to apoptosis. miR-522 has also been implicated in chemoresistance (e.g., doxorubicin-resistant colorectal cancer) via direct targeting of ABCB5 and in brain metastasis by modulating blood-brain barrier permeability through regulation of Tensin 1[2][6][7]. At the transcriptional level, nuclear miR-522 can repress the expression of genes such as CYP2E1 by interacting with DNA secondary structures in gene promoters[3]. Therapeutically, while no drugs directly target miR-522 in clinical use, miRNA-based strategies (mimics or inhibitors) are under investigation due to its regulatory role in oncogenic processes.

Other names

hsa-mir-522MIR522hsa-miR-522-5phsa-miR-522-3pmir-522MIRN522

miR-522 mimics (agonists) or inhibitors (antagonists) are hypothesized to exert therapeutic effects by downregulating or upregulating target mRNAs involved in cancer proliferation, migration, and drug resistance, e.g., ABCB5, Tensin 1, DENND2D[2][6][7].